Our volunteers do not need prior knowledge or experience in crisis support. Distress Centre offers comprehensive training to all new volunteers in topics including, but not limited to: crisis intervention, addictions, youth issues, and domestic violence. Distress Centre’s initial training includes 35 classroom hours (including independent modules) and 12-20 hours of supervised coaching shifts, with opportunities for additional developmental monthly training.
Training takes place over a 3-week period with a combination of Microsoft Teams classroom sessions and self-paced online modules. Classroom training is followed by supervised shifts where trainees support service users remotely. Attendance is required for all of the training modules and coaching shifts before you will be able to be on the lines solo.
Note: Alternative arrangements for training dates are limited. Volunteers-in-training are expected to attend all sessions.